The Royal Institute of British Architect's prestigious Stirling Prize has been awarded to dRMM Architects for Hastings Pier Charity.

The historic pier in East Sussex was devastated by fire in 2010, but was restored in a multi-million pound, two-year redevelopment that was seven years in the planning.

The Pier was redeveloped through a community collaboration between the council, the engineers, and the architect, and has a "palpable sense of ownership" according to the Stirling web site. 

The RIBA Stirling Prize recognises the United Kingdom's best new building. The prize is judged against a range of criteria including design vision, innovation and originality, accessibility, and sustainability.

RIBA president Ben Derbyshire said the "stunning, flexible new pier" is "a masterpiece of regeneration", and he praised Hastings' local residents for finding 3,000 shareholders to buy £100 stakes in "the people's pier".

"The decision not to place any building at the end of the pier, which is possibly the obvious position to site a building, is an extremely powerful move. The large open space provides a sense of calmness and delight, with a strong connection to the sea and the seafront. The experience of free space and ‘walking on water’ is heightened by the optics of a very beautiful, louvred balustrade design and quality timber deck."

Read more about the Stirling Prize.

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